Posted: 19:29, July 19, 2022
Updated: 19:31, July 19, 2022
After attending more than 240 during the day today, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a “major incident” amid record high temperatures in the county.
A fire service spokesman said crews attended several major incidents today (Tuesday, July 19), including large field fires and a road accident.
Five appliances attended an earlier large fire on the M1 between Watford and Luton. At Rushdon, near Baldock, six units tackled a field fire, while a further six units tackled a combine fire in Hamels Lane, Buntingford.
At Codicote, near Welwyn, 12 fire engines were called to another field fire.
The spokesman urged residents to only call 999 if there was a genuine emergency in progress.
They said: “When you dial 999 to report an incident, please be patient while our operators work to get to your call as quickly as possible.
“You can help reduce the pressure on our staff by following our heatwave advice and staying safe over the next few hours.”
In neighboring London, the fire service also declared a “major incident”.
More than 60 firefighters were at the scene of the blaze at an outhouse in Wembley, with more than 50 people evacuated from surrounding properties, according to the London Fire Brigade.
In Wennington, in the London Borough of Havering, a terrace was gutted by a serious fire that attended more than 100 firefighters.
A firefighter at the scene of a fire in Wennington, London. London Fire Brigade declared a ‘major incident’ amid extreme heat today (Tuesday 19 July) – Credit: Yui Mok/PA
Firefighters battle a blaze in the village of Wennington, London – Photo: Yui Mok/PA
A woman is comforted after a large fire in the village of Wennington, in the London Borough of Havering – Picture: Yui Mok/PA
Around 170 firefighters tackled a large grass fire next to the M25 at Pea Lane, Upminster, near the Dartford Crossing.
A fire next to the West Coast Main Line at Harrow has affected rail equipment, forcing a partial closure of the rail line between London Euston and Watford Junction.
Pictures from Bedfordshire show a large Sandy fire that broke out on Tuesday afternoon.
A field fire near Sandy, Bedfordshire, today (Tuesday 19 July) – Photo: Patty Trayhorn
Fire next to the M25 at Upminster, near the Dartford Crossing – Credit: National Highways
Engineers examine damage to trees caused by a fire next to the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Watford Junction – Picture: Network Rail
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said they received 110 calls to control services between 10am and midday today.
Neil Fenwick, from Essex, said: “On the hottest day we’ve ever seen in Essex, we’re seeing a high number of calls across the county.
“Right now, please help us help you – please only call 999 in a genuine emergency.
“Please do not light any fires such as bonfires, campfires and avoid barbecues while the ground is this dry.
“If you are a smoker, please dispose of your smoking materials safely and responsibly.”
Over the past three days, crews in Essex have attended several fires along the Hertfordshire border.
Among them was the field fire near the M11 on Sunday July 17, which spread to a disused station building in Great Chesterford, near Saffron Walden.
A field fire next to the M11 in Essex which spread to a disused station building in Great Chesterford on Sunday 17 July – Credit: Gerard Clinton
Crews from Harlow, Newport and Stansted tackled a harvester fire in Mallows Green Road, Manuden, near Bishop’s Stortford. The call was received today at 12:57 p.m.
The spate of fires follows record temperatures recorded across the UK.
Provisional Met Office figures showed high temperatures of 40.2C at London Heathrow Airport at 12.50pm, just 10 miles from the Hertfordshire border at Maple Cross.
The highest reading was seen at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, where the mercury hit 40.3C.
The previous record was 38.7C, recorded at Cambridge University Botanic Gardens in 2019.
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